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Is it true that omnivores consume more plant-based resources than vegetarians or vegans? Stacy Howell/Getty ImagesBefore indulging in that tempting cheeseburger, consider this eye-opening fact: meat production is incredibly resource-intensive. Research from the Center for a Livable Future at Johns Hopkins University reveals that producing a single quarter-pounder requires up to 625 gallons (2,366 liters) of water. This includes not only the water consumed by cattle but also the irrigation needed for their feed. Additionally, studies by Dutch researchers indicate that livestock farming accounts for 27 percent of global freshwater usage.
"Beyond the ethical and animal welfare arguments for veganism, the environmental impact is just as compelling," explains Krissi Vandenberg, executive director of Vegan Action, a Virginia-based group promoting plant-based diets. "Using land to grow feed for livestock rather than food for humans is inefficient and harmful. Vast areas are suffering from degradation due to cattle grazing, including issues like erosion, soil compaction, desertification, and nutrient depletion." For further insights, refer to this 2006 U.N. World Food Organization report on the environmental consequences of meat production.
Here’s another surprising fact: Even if you’re an omnivore who enjoys both meat and plant-based foods, you might be consuming more plant-derived resources than a vegetarian. This is because the animals you eat, such as cows, consume significant amounts of plant-based feed before becoming part of your meal. In essence, omnivores indirectly consume more plants than those who stick to a vegetarian diet.
The 2014 study "Patterns of food consumption among vegetarians and non-vegetarians," featured in the Journal of Nutrition, analyzed dietary habits of 89,000 Seventh-Day Adventist Church members across the U.S. and Canada. Participants included meat-eaters, lacto-ovo vegetarians, pesco-vegetarians, semi-vegetarians, and strict vegans, who avoid all animal-derived foods.
Results showed that vegans consumed the most plant-based foods, averaging 1,658.5 grams (58.5 ounces) daily, including fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. Lacto-ovo vegetarians followed with 1,336.5 grams (47.1 ounces), and pesco-vegetarians with 1,424.1 grams (50.2 ounces). Meat-eaters, while eating less at 1,108.7 grams (39.1 ounces), still consumed a significant amount of plant-based foods.
Meat-eaters in the study consumed 59.2 grams (2 ounces) of meat daily, significantly lower than the national average of 226.8 grams (8 ounces), as per U.S. Department of Agriculture data. This reflects the health-conscious nature of Seventh-Day Adventists.
Calculating the plant-based resources used to produce meat is complex, as different livestock consume varying amounts of grains and grasses. This complexity is highlighted in a 2013 Economist article.
Even if your pastrami sandwich lacks vegetables, plants were still used in its production.
Donna Alberico/Getty ImagesMarion Nestle, Paulette Goddard Professor in the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University and author of "Food Politics," explains via email that, on average, "it takes about 6 pounds of grain to produce 1 pound of meat."
By multiplying 59.2 grams (2 ounces) of meat by six and adding it to the meat-eater's daily intake, the total plant-based consumption reaches 1,463.9 grams (51.6 ounces). This exceeds the intake of most vegetarians, except for vegans. Using the USDA's average of 8 ounces of meat per day, the total plant-based consumption jumps to 2,529.5 grams (89.2 ounces), surpassing even vegan consumption by about 52 percent.
This is significant because meat production consumes vast amounts of plant-based resources. As Nestle highlights, approximately 70 percent of corn and soybean production is used for animal feed. A 2013 study by University of Minnesota researchers, published in Environmental Research Letters, found that repurposing this farmland for human food production could feed an additional 4 billion people globally.
The popularity of the "Paleo diet," which avoids modern foods, has grown in recent years. However, as this Scientific American article explains, truly eating like a caveman is impossible, as nearly all modern fruits, vegetables, and meats have been transformed by centuries of selective breeding.
